Building structure



Jan. 10, 1956 c, vALENTlNE 2,730,208

BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 1, 1952 I N V EN TOR. 6%47/63 M l dkrzz' z'rre.

weight, high strength United St e a c 2,730,208 BUILDING STRUCTURE Charles M. Valentine St. Clair, Micl1.,-assignor to Chrysl'er Corporation, Highland .Park, .Mic'ln, a corporation of Delaware ApplicationAugust 1, .1952, sen-s1 No. 302,083 2 Claims. (Cl. 189- 34) The invention relates to improvements in a space en closing building structure.

An object of the invention is to provide a building structure including prefabricated structural components which can be readily assembled and disassembled and which can be easily and economically transported to a site of assembly, and to provide an improved construction for detachably securing the structural components together.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a building structure including a plurality of wall forming panels and a frame work to which the panels are detachably secured in a manner to seal the walls and to thermally insulate the frame work and wall panels; and to provide a connector between the panels and frame work which acts as a seal for adjacent panels and thermally insulates the latter from the frame work. In the specific embodiment a batten is applied to adjacent panels and forms a part of the detachable connection between such panels and the frame work.

In carrying out the foregoing the wall and roof components are constituted by a plurality of relatively light panels each of which consists of an intermediate cellular core of paper, for example, and facing skins of sheet aluminum or other material secured as by surface bonding to the respective opposite extremities of the core. The panels are supported by a frame work including studs and rafters, preferably channel shaped in cross section, and a batten is applied to adjacent panels and is connected with the frame work for securing the panels to the latter.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a building embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view illustrating the frame work and floor of the building shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view, partly in section taken within the circle 3 of Fig. 1.

The invention is embodied in a space enclosing building, generally indicated by the numeral 10, the walls, roof and floor of which are provided by panels 11. The floor panels rest on and are secured to a sill structure 12 or other suitable support, and a structural plate 13 rests on the floor at the outer edge thereof and is secured thereto, it being understood that the plate 13 includes four sections, one at each side and one at each end of the building. The frame Work to which the side wall and roof forming panels are secured includes studs 14 secured by angle irons 15 to the structural plate 13, a top plate 16 secured to the upper ends of the studs 14 and to the outer, lower ends of rafters 17, the inner or upper ends of the rafters being connected to a ridge plate 18. The structural plates 13, the studs 14, top plate 16 and rafters 17 are preferably channel-shaped in cross section. A purlin 19, preferably of wood, is coextensive with each top plate 16 and is secured thereto as shown in Fig. 4.

Each wall and roof forming panel 11 includes an intercured to a respective 2,730,208 Patented Jan. 10, 1956 mediate cor-e20 ofpapercontoured to define an openended cellular body; anda facing skin or sheet 21 at either end o'f' the open-ended cellular body andbonded thereto. Fhe sheet21' is preferably aluminum, although other metal or 'non rnetallic material can be used, and adjacent terminal edges 'of' 't'he sheets are preferably flanged into overlapping relationship to substantially enclose the intermediate ore 26. if desiredth'ece'lls of the core can be'filled with a suitable thermal insulating materiaL- Adjacent wall forming panels 11 are's'ecuredto arespec tive stud 14 and adjacent roof forming panels '11 are 'serafter 17 in like manner and corresponding parts are designated by the same numerals. A batten, generally indicated by the numeral 22, is T-shaped in cross section and has opposite directed arms or flanges 23 respectively overlapping the outer facing 21 of adjacent panels 11 at each pair of adjacent edges of such panels, and a leg 24 extending between adjacent panels. The leg and arms are preferably integral and formed from a relatively light weight metal such as aluminum. The free edge portion of each arm 23 is preferably deflected from the plane of the main body thereof to provide an edge which is drawn against the overlapped skin 21 to provide sealing engagement therebetween. If desired, however, a sealing strip 25 of rubber, fiber, or other suitable material can be used between each arm 23 and skin and which will be compressed therebetween in the final assembly.

Each batten 22 has a number of U-shaped members 26 secured to its leg 24 at longitudinally spaced locations, a typical member 26 being illustrated in Fig. 3. The member 26 embraces the leg 24 and is riveted or otherwise secured thereto and is thermally insulated therefrom by a suitable material 27. Each member 26 extends through a slot in the registering stud 14 and has a notch 29 at each of the opposite edges. An eyebolt 28 has its head detachably engaged in one of the slots 29 in the member 26 and projects from the open side of the channel stud 14 or rafter 17 in case of the roof panels. The bolt 28 also extends through an opening in a plate 30 which bridges the open side of the channel and seats on the flanges 31 at such open side. The adjacent panels 11 are drawn against the stud 14 (or rafter l7) and the batten flanges drawn against the panels by threading a nut 32 onto the threaded end of the bolt 28.

Although but one embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

spaced adjacent wall forming panels, and means securing the panels to the frame work including a substantially T- shaped batten having a leg extending into the space between adjacent panels and oppositely directed flanges overlapping and engaging respective adjacent panels, a U- shaped element receiving and secured to the batten leg and having a notched periphery, a fastener detachably secured to the notched periphery of the U-shaped element and extending through the open side of a channel frame member, a plate bridging the open side of said channel frame member and having an opening receiving an end portion of said fastener, and a nut threaded onto said fastener end portion and reacting against said plate to draw the batten flanges against said panels and said panels against said frame work.

2. A space enclosing building structure including a frame work comprising open sided channel members, spaced adjacent wall forming panels, and means securing the panels to the frame work including a substantially T- shaped batten having a leg extending into the space hetween adjacent panels and oppositely directed flanges overlapping'the respective adjacent panels each flange having a free edge portion angled from the main body thereof and engaging the overlapped panel, a. U-shaped element receiving and secured to the batten leg and having a notched periphery, a fastener detachably s e oured to the notched periphery of the U-shaped element and extendingthrough the open side of a channel frame member, a plate bridging the open side of said channel frame member and having an opening receiving an end portion of said fastener, and a nut threaded onto said fastener end portion and reacting against said plate to draw said free edge portions of the batten flanges against said adjacent panels and said panels against the frame work.

p lteferences Cited in the tile ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Forster Feb. 24, Kane July 4, Hatch et a1 Aug. 22, McLaughlin Dec. 12, Jullien Jan. 7, Bending Feb. 4, Kellogg June 20, Martin Dec. 4, Havens July 7,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain J an. 20, Great Britain Aug. 2, 

